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SYSTEM 
TARGET   PRACTICE. 

\vif]  v  \rmj:d  avith  the  musket,  rifle-musket,  rifle, 


»i>     ^ ^  \  i»  r>T  X'  I ' 


I'UEPARED  PRINCIPALLY  FROM  THE  FRENCH, 

By  HEXRY  HETir, 

CAPTAIX  TENTH  REG'T.  V.  8.   INPAXTRT. 


ORDER  OF  THE  WAR  DEPARTraXT 


PIIL.ADELPIIIA: 
HENRY    r  VREY   BAIRD. 

1858. 


SYSTEM 


TARGET   PRACTICE, 


For  tee  Use  oe  Trooes 

WHEN  ARMED  WITH  THE  MUSKET,   raFLE-MUSKET,  TwIFLE, 
OR  CARBINE. 


PREPARED   PRINCIPALLY  FROM  THE   FRENCU, 

By  IIEXRY  IIETH, 

CAPTAIN    TENTH    REC'T.  U.  S.  INFANTRY. 


rUBLISHEB  BY  ORDER  OF  THE  WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

PHILADELPHIA: 
HENRY    CAREY   BAIRD. 

1858. 


M  o^ 


War  Department, 
Washington,  March  1,  1858. 

The  system  of  Target  Practice,  prepared,  under  direction 
of  the  War  Department,  by  Captain  Henry  Heth,  lOth 
Infantry,  having  been  approved,  is  adopted  for  the  instruction 
of  troops  when  armed  with  the  Musket,  Eifle  Musket,  Rifle, 

or  Carbine. 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 
Secretary  of  War, 


Adjutaxt-Gexeral's  Office, 

"Washixgtox,  October  14,  1857. 
Sir:— 

The  Board  of  Officers  iustituted  by  "Special  Orders''  No. 
118,  of  August  12,  1857,  from  the  War  Department,  and 
of  which  you  were  a  member,  having  adjourned  without  day, 
the  Secretary  of  War  directs  that  you  now  proceed  to  draw  up 
a  "System  of  Target  Practice  with  Small  Arms,'*  this  being  the 
special  service  upon  which  it  is  designed  to  employ  you,  under 
the  order  of  the  Department  dated  May  25,  1857. 

I  transmit  herewith,  fur  your  use  in  the  execution  of  the 
duty  indicated,  the  reports  furnished  by  officers  of  the  army 
in    answer   to    the  circular    issued    by    the    General-in-chief, 
March  15,  185G,  respecting  practice  with  small  arms. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  Cooper, 
To  Captain  Henry  IIetii,  Adjutmit' General, 

lUth  Infantry,  Wiishington,  D.  C. 


PREFACE. 


The  following  System  of  Target  Practice  is  chiefly  a 
translation  from  the  French  ^^Instruction  provisoire  sur  k 
Tir,  k  Tusage  des  bataillons  de  Chasseurs  a  Pied.''  Indeed, 
the  French  system  would  have  been  recommended,  with  but 
little  or  no  change,  had  we  in  our  service  schools  of  instruc- 
tion similar  to  theirs. 

The  undersigned  does  not  claim  the  credit  of  presenting  to 
the  army  any  thing  new,  but  only  a  digest  of  what  has  already 
been  practised,  with  great  success,  by  both  the  English  and 
French. 

n.  begs  leave  to  express  his  indebtedness  to  Brevet-Major 
T.  Williams,  Captain  4th  Artillery,  and  Brevet-Major  Fitz- 
John  Porter,  Captain  Adjutant-Generars  Department,  for  the 
assistance  received  from  their  reports  on  the  same  subject, 
and  also  to  First  Lieut.  Julien  McAllister,  Ordnance  De- 
partment, for  valuable  aid  and  assistance  received  from  him. 

HENRY  IIETII, 
Captain   Ttnth  Infantry. 


CONTENTS. 


TARGET  PRACTICE. 

FIRST  LESSON. 
Exercise  Preparatory  to  Firing. 

PAGE 

Art.  I.  Aiming 12 

II.  Position  of  a  Skirmisher  aiming,  standing 15 

III.  Position  of  a  Soldier  kneeling  and  aiming 19 

IV.  Keeping  the  Piece  steady  when  pulling  the  Trigger 20 

V.  Simulated  Firing  with  Caps 22 

VI.  Simulated  Firing  with  Blank  Cartridges 22 

VII.  Estimating  Distances 23 

SECOND  LESSON. 

Firing    with    Ball    Cartridges    at    different    Distances,    and 

Formation  of  Classes. 

THIRD   LESSON. 
Firing  as  Skirmishers. 

FOURTH  LESSON. 
Firing  by  File,  by  Company  or  Rank,  and  by  Platoon. 

LIST  OF  FORMS. 

Form    I.  Record  of  Company  firing.  Classes,  &c 44 

II.  Record  of  Company  firing  as  Skirmishers 48 

III.  Record   of  Company  firing   by  File,  by   Company  or 

Rank,  and  by  Platoon 48 

7 


CONTENTS. 


LIST  OF  PLATES. 

PAGE 

Plate  L  Man  aiming  from  a  Sand-Bag  Rest,  in  Quarters 13 

II.  Squads  aiming  from  a  Tripod  Rest,  on  the  Drill-Ground  14 

III.  Men  estimating  Distances 23 

IV.  Wrought-Iron  Frame  for  Target 37 

V.  Wooden  Target 38 

VI.  The  Manner  in  which  the  Stadia  is  worn 39 

VIL  The  Stadia 42 

VIII.  Army  Target  Prize 41 


S^arjoct    |ractlcc. 


The  inaccuracy  of  the  soldiers  of  our  army  in  firing  has 
been  a  matter  of  surprise  and  regret  to  many  officers.  This 
has  been  especially  remarked  upon  since  the  introduction  of 
the  expanding  ball  into  our  service. 

When  we  reflect  that  many  of  the  rank  and  file  composing 
our  army  have  never  fired  a  gun  previous  to  their  enlistment, 
indeed,  that  some  have  never  had  a  gun  in  their  hands,  it 
would  be  truly  surprising  were  such  men  good  shots. 

The  slow  progress  in  attaining  any  thing  like  precision  in 
firing  is  believed  attributable,  in  a  great  measure,  to  ignorance 
of  those  principles  which  must  govern  all  good  marksmen 
when  firing,  the  chief  of  which  is  a  knowledge  of  aiming  the 
piece  correctly. 

Persons  accustomed  to  the  use  of  fire-arms  from  their 
youth  find  no  difficulty  in  aiming  a  gun  correctly  at  an  ob- 
ject. Not  so,  however,  with  the  man  who  has  never  handled 
a  gun.  As  simple  as  this  appears,  some  men  never  can 
acquire  it. 

It  will  be  found  very  generally  to  be  a  fact,  that  a  soldier 
who  habitually  fires  inaccurately  has  no  idea  of  the  principles 
which  should  govern  him  in  aiming  his  piece. 

An  officer  standing  in  the  rear,  or  in  front,  of  a  man  when 
aiming  cannot  detect  inaccuracies  of  aim ;  but,  if  the  soldier 
is  made  to  place  his  gun  on  a  suitable  rest,  and  aim  it  at  an 
object,  the  officer  will  immediately  detect  all  errors,  which 
having  been  pointed  out,  the  soldier  receives  a  useful  lesson  in 


10  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


aiming  his  piece^  wliicli  it  will  be  easy  for  him  to  carry  out 
when  aiming  from  a  prescribed  position. 

In  order  that  fire-arms  in  the  hands  of  soldiers  may  pro- 
duce their  full  effect,  it  is  necessary, 

1st.  That  the  soldier  should  have  sufficient  knowledge  of 
the  parts  of  his  piece  to  enable  him  to  take  it  apart  and  put 
it  together  again  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  it  in  order. 

2d.  That  the  soldier  should  know  how  to  load  his  gun  pro- 
perly.* The  School  of  the  Soldier  contains  all  that  is  necessary 
on  this  subject. 

3d.  That  the  rules  for  firing  his  piece  should  be  known ; 
that  is  to  say,  that  he  knows  the  manner  of  regulating  his 
aim  according  to  the  distance  of  the  object  to  be  hit. 

4th.  That  he  should  be  practised  in  estimating  distances 
within  the  range  of  his  piece. 

5th.  That  he  should  be  able  to  take  a  position  which 
enables  him. 

To  aim  with  ease ; 

To  keep  the  body  steady,  without  constraint; 

Not  to  incline  the  sights  to  the  right  or  left; 

To  support  the  recoil. 

6th.  When  pressing  on  the  trigger  to  discharge  the  piece, 
not  to  derange  his  aim. 

The  above  comprises  all  that  is  necessary  for  the  soldier  to 
know,  and  put  in  practice,  in  order  that  he  may  obtain  the 
maximum  efi'ect  of  his  arm. 

By  examining  the  details  of  instruction  as  given  above,  it 
will  be  seen  that,  in  order  that  a  soldier  may  be  made  familiar 
with  them,  it  is  not  necessary  to  fire  in  reality. 

The  soldier  should  acquire  the  above  by  degrees.  If  the 
soldier's    attention  be  at  first  confined  to  aiming  his  piece, 

'^  An  officer,  en  route  to  New  Mexico  with  some  two  hundred  recruits, 
reported  that,  having  had  occasion  to  examine  the  pieces  of  the  men,  he 
found  at  least  one  hundred  pieces  loaded  with  the  ball-end  of  the  cartridge 
inserted  first. 


TARGET   PRACTICE.  11 


he  will  more  readily  acquire  this  than  if  he  were  required 
to  aim,  and  to  take  a  prescribed  position  at  the  same  time. 
Having  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  aiming  his 
piece,  and  then  a  prescribed  position,  he  will  readily  acquire 
the  habit  of  aiming  correctly  from  this  position. 

He  should  now  learn  the  proper  manner  of  pulling  the 
trigger,  and,  when  putting  this  in  practice,  to  keep  his  piece 
steady. 

The  soldier  will  next  be  taught  to  support  the  recoil,  and 
become  accustomed  to  the  report  of  his  piece,  by  first  using 
caps,  and  then  blank  cartridges. 

Such  appears  to  be  the  natural  order  of  instruction  to 
overcome  the  difficulties  attending  the  proper  use  of  his  arm 
when  firing.  It  is  asserted,  by  the  English  and  French,  that 
soldiers,  by  the  above  course  of  instruction,  have  been  made 
good  shots  without  having  fired  a  single  ball. 

In  the  spring  of  185G,  a  company  in  our  service,  drilled  in  a 
similar  manner,  improved  three  hundred  per  cent,  in  accuracy 
of  fire  in  six  weeks^  time. 

The  necessity  of  soldiers  being  able  to  estimate  distances 
with  some  degree  of  accuracy  is  very  evident.  Without 
such  knowledge,  no  accuracy  of  fire  could  be  obtained  when 
deployed  as  skirmishers;  as  the  soldier  is  then  compelled  to 
rely  upon  his  own  judgment. 

If  to  the  above  we  join  sufficient  theoretical  instruction 
strictly  necessary  to  enable  the  soldier  to  aim  his  piece  cor- 
rectly, according  to  the  distance  of  the  object  to  be  hit,  we 
will  certainly  obtain,  when  firing,  results  far  superior  to  those 
which  would  be  obtained  by  passing  immediately  from  the 
School  of  the  Soldier  to  firing  at  a  target.  The  instruction 
would  not  be  complete  if  a  soldier  were  only  made  to  fire  from 
the  position  which  he  would  naturally  take  when  standing, 
and  not  in  ranks ;  or,  in  other  words,  when  firing  as  a  skir- 
misher, standing.  Instruction  in  firing  by  file,  by  company, 
or  rank,  and  by  platoon,  is  necessary  to  complete  the  course. 


12  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


The  following  practice  will  be  repeated  annually.  The 
practice  should  commence  as  soon  after  January  as  possible. 

At  many  of  our  Western  posts  game  is  abundant.  .Com- 
manding officers  are  recommended  to  encourage  the  men  to 
hunt;  and  for  this  purpose  they  are  authorized  to  issue  a  small 
quantity  of  ammunition. 


EXERCISE  PREPARATORY  TO  FIRING. 

In  the  exercises  which  constitute  this  lesson,  the  company 
will  be  divided  into  as  many  squads  as  there  are  instructors 
available.  When  the  exercise  is  conducted  on  the  drill- 
ground,  the  squads  will  be  formed  in  one  rank,  with  an 
interval  of  one  pace  between  the  files,  and  equipped  as  for 
drill.  The  bayonet,  as  a  general  rule,  will  be  in  the  scabbard, 
unless  otherwise  directed. 

ARTICLE  I. 

AIMING. 

Instruction  in  aiming  will  be  given  at  first  in  the  quarters, 
if  practicable.  A  bag,  partially  filled  with  sand  or  earth,  is 
placed  on  a  bench,  the  bench  on  a  table :  by  striking  the  bag 
with  the  back  of  the  hand,  an  indentation  will  be  formed  in 
which  the  piece  can  be  rested.  The  piece  is  now  placed  on 
the  bag,  and  aimed  by  the  instructor  on  some  object,  such  as 
a  wafer  on  the  wall,  being  careful  that  the  sights  incline 
neither  to  the  right  or  left.  He  now  points  out  to  his  squad 
the  two  points  which  determine  the  line  of  sight;  that  is, 
the  top  of  the  front  or  muzzle-sight,  and  the  middle  of  the 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  13 


notch  of  the  hausse  or  breech-sight.  The  instructor  explains 
that  aiming  consists  in  bringing  these  two  points^  and  the 
object  aimed  at,  in  the  same  right  line. 

Each  man,  in  turn,  placing  himself  behind  the  butt  of  the 
piece,  without  touching  it,  closing  the  left  eye,  looks  through 
the  middle  of  the  notch  of  the  breech-sight,  over  the  top  of 
the  front  sight,  and  on  the  centre  of  the  wafer  upon  which 
the  line  of  sight  was  previously  directed,  and  satisfies  himself 
that  these  three  points  are  in  the  same  right  line,  (see  Plate  1.) 
The  instructor  will  now  derange  the  gun, and  then  call  up  each 
soldier  in  turn,  who  will  aim  the  piece  at  the  point  indicated: 
he  will  criticize  the  aiming,  pointing  out  to  each  of  them 
their  error  or  errors,  if  any  are  found,  by  making  them  see 
that  the  object  aimed  at  is  not  in  the  line  of  sight,  but  that 
this  line  passes  to  the  right,  left,  above,  or  below,  as  the  case 
may  be.  After  having  rectified  the  aiming  of  each  soldier, 
the  instructor  will  be  careful  to  derange  the  piece.  This 
exercise  will  be  repeated ;  but,  instead  of  the  instructor  recti- 
fying errors  himself,  he  will  first  call  up  the  men  of  his  squad 
in  turn,  and  ask  each  if  the  line  of  sight  passes  to  right,  left, 
above,  or  below  the  point  indicated,  or  whether  the  piece  in- 
clines to  the  right  or  left.  When  the  men  have  expressed 
their  opinions,  the  instructor  will  give  his  own,  correctiug 
thus  all  the  errors  which  have  been  committed.  The  in- 
structor will  repeat  this  exercise  as  often  as  may  be  necessary. 
After  each  drill,  the  instructor  will  enter,  in  a  note-book,  c:ood 
medium,  or  bad  aiming,  opposite  each  man's  name. 

Two  drills,  of  two  hours  each,  devoted  to  the  first  part  of 
the  instruction  in  aiming,  will  be  sufficient  to  teach  the  gene- 
rality of  men  the  principles  of  aiming  a  gun  with  the  raised 
sight  down. 

In  a  third  drill,  the  instructor  will  explain  to  his  squad  the 
use  of  the  diff'erent  parts  of  his  piece,  the  rules  for  firing,  the 
object  and  use  of  the  raised  sight,  by  tracing  the  following 
figure  on  a  board,  table,  or  floor.     Explain  that  the  line  of 


14  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


fire  is  the  axis  of  the  gun  indefinitely  produced,  that  the 
ball  describes  a  curved  line  during  its  flight,  that  the  line  of 
sight  is  a  right  line  passing  through  the  middle  of  the  notch 
of  the  rear  sight  and  the  top  of  front  sight,  that  the  point- 
blank  is  the  second  intersection  of  the  trajectory,  or  curve, 
with  the  line  of  sight.  Assuming  the  point-blank  of  a  gun, 
with  the  hausse  down,  to  be  200  yards,  he  will  explain  to  his 
squad,  that  to  hit  a  man  in  the  head  at  200  yards,  aim  at  his 
head;  at  150,  at  his  throat;  at  100,  at  his  chest,  and  so  on. 
Thus,  with  the  assistance  of  a  curved  line,  and  a  few  simple 
remarks  adapted  to  the  comprehension  of  any  man  of  ordinary 
iutelligence,  the  squad  will  receive  a  lesson  which  many  will 
find  useful  in  practice,  and  but  few  will  forget.  The  instructor 
will,  from  time  to  time  during  the  drill,  question  the  men^ 
and  satisfy  himself  that  he  is  clearly  understood.  The  in- 
structor will  also  add,  that,  by  the  use  of  the  hausse  or  raised 
sight,  ths  number  of  points-blank  are  increased,  and  explain 
the  reason. 

The  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  drills  that  follow  will  take  place 
on  the  drill-ground,  and  squads  will  be  exercised  in  aiming  { 
any  distance  between  100  and  1000  yards,  or  up  to  that  point 
for  which  the  arm  is  sighted.  Each  squad  is  provided  with  a 
target,  a  bag  partially  filled  with  sand,  and  a  tripod,  formed 
of  poles  about  six  feet  long,  tied  or  fastened  near  the  top. 
The  tripod  is  placed  in  an  upright  position,  the  sand-bag 
on  the  tripod,  and  the  piece  on  the  sand-bag.  Each  man 
aims  his  own  gun,  (see  Plate  2.)  When  he  pronounces 
his  piece  correctly  aimed,  the  instructor  calls  up  the  re- 
mainder of  the  squad  in  turn,  who  examine  the  piece  and 


TAP.GET    PRACTICE.  15 

inform  the  instructor,  in  a  low  tone,  how.  in  their  opinion,  the 
gan  is  sighted.  The  instructor  notes  down  their  answers  in  his 
note-book.  He  then  examines  the  piece  himself,  pronounces 
how  the  gun  is  aimed,  calls  up  those  who  answered  incorrectly, 
and,  having  satisfied  them  of  their  errors,  requires  the  man 
who  aimed  the  piece  to  correct  his  mistake.  At  the  end  of 
the  drill  the  instructor  will  note  good,  medium,  or  bad  aiming 
opposite  each  man's  name.  Should  the  captain  of  the  com- 
pany require  it,  the  note-books  used  by  the  instructors  during 
drill  will  be  handed  to  him  after  drill.  Should  it  be  desirable 
to  economize  targets,  one  target  will  answer  for  the  different 
squads  of  the  same  company  during  this  part  of  the  drill:  in 
that  case  the  tripods  will  be  placed  as  near  together  as  practi- 
cable. Soldiers  who  have  previously  been  thoroughly  in- 
structed in  this  part  of  the  exercise,  and  show  a  knowledge 
of  the  first  four  driUs,  may  be  excused  from  the  last  two. 

ARTICLE  II. 

POSITION    OF   A    SKIRMISHER   AIMING   STANDING. 

When  the  men  can  aim  correctly  from  a  rest,  they  will  be 
instructed  in  the  above  position. 

Si|uads  under  arms  wiH  be  formed  in  a  single  rank,  with 
an  interval  of -one  pace  between  the  files. 

The  instructor,  facing  the  s^juaJ,  wiU  give  the  details  of  the 
position,  executing  the  same  himself  as  he  describes  them. 

AIMING  WITH  SIGHT  DOWN,  (WHEN  RIELED  MUSKET  IS  USED.) 
ONE    TIME    AND    THREE    MOTIONS. 

First  Motion. — .\s  first  motion  of  ^^  charge  bayonet,'^ 
Scott's  Tactics,  vol.  i.  paragraph  1S7,  except  that  the  right 
foot  is  carried  fifteen  inches  to  rear  of  left  heel. 

Second  Motion. — Bring  down  the  piece  with  the  right 
hand  to  the  right  side,  the  barrel  uppermost ;  seizing  it  with 


16  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


the  left  hand  in  rear  of  the  hausse  or  breech-sight,  the  stock 
resting  in  the  palm  of  this  hand,  the  thumb  extended  along 
the  stock,  the  left  elbow  close  to  the  body,  the  muzzle  as  high 
as  the  eye.  Cock  the  piece  with  the  thumb  of  the  right 
hand,  the  fingers  supported  against  the  guard  and  the  small 
of  the  stock ;  seize  the  piece  at  the  small  of  the  stock  with 
the  right  hand. 

Third  Motion. — Turn  in  slightly  the  left  toe,  raise  the  piece 
with  both  hands ;  place  the  butt  firmly  against  the  shoulder, 
the  body  erect,  the  left  elbow  close  to  the  body;  shut  the 
right  eye,  raise  the  right  shoulder  in  order  to  bring  the  sight 
to  the  height  of  the  right  eye,  the  elbow  raised  nearly  to  the 
height  of  the  shoulder;  aim,  keeping  the  line  of  sight  hori- 
zontal and  in  the  vertical  plane  of  fire,  inclining  as  little  as 
possible  the  head  to  the  right,  the  thumb  of  the  right  hand 
over  the  small  of  the  stock,  the  last  joint  of  the  first  finger 
of  the  right  hand  in  front  of  but  not  touching  the  trigger, 
the  remaining  fingers  under^  and  grasping  the  smalLof  the 
stock. 

AIMING  WITH   SIGHT   DOWN,  (WHEN  RIFLE   IS   USED.) 
ONE    TIME   AND    THREE    MOTIONS. 

First  Motion.— Raise  the  piece  with  the  right  hand ;  make 
a  half-face  to  the  right  on  the  left  heel ;  place  the  hollow  of 
the  right  foot  opposite  to,  and  fifteen  inches  from,  left  heel ; 
the  feet  square :  seize  the  piece  at  the  same  time  with  the 
left  hand  in  rear  of  the  hausse  or  breech-sight,  the  thumb 
extending  along  the  stock. 

Second  Motion. — Bring  down  the  piece  with  both  hands; 
the  barrel  uppermost,  the  left  elbow  close  to  the  body,  the 
muzzle  as  high  as  the  eye.  Cock  the  piece  with  the  thumb 
of  the  right  hand,  the  fingers  supported  against  the  guard  and 
the  small  of  the  stock.  Seize  the  piece  at  the  small  of  the 
stock  with  the  right  hand. 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  17 

Third  3Iotion. — Same  as  that  given  for  rifled  musket. 

The  instructor  directs  each  man  to  take  the  position,  com- 
mencing on  the  right  of  the  squad  :  during  the  instruction  lie 
will  assist  the  soldier  in  supporting  his  arm  by  placing  his  right 
hand  under  or  near  the  middle  baud.  After  which,  the  man 
is  made  to  take  the  position  without  any  assistance.  The 
commands  given  in  order  to  make  a  soldier  take  or  abandon 
the  positions  as  given  above,  will  be, — 

^^  As  a  skirmisher,  aim/' 

'^  Cease — aiming.'' 

At  the  first  part  of  the  last  command,  withdraw  the  finger 
from  in  front  of  the  trigger;  at  the  command  ^'Aiming," 
retake  the  position  of  the  second  motion  of  ^'Aiming  with 
sight  down;"  half-cock  the  piece,  and  come  to  a  shoulder. 
As  the  instructor  proceeds  with  the  squad,  he  will  direct  those 
who  have  been  instructed  to  exercise  themselves  in  taking  the 
position,  keeping  it  for  an  instant,  and  then  abandoning  it, 
repeating  this  as  often  as  they  can  while  the  rest  are  being 
instructed.  Men  will  be  cautioned  not  to  cock  the  piece  when 
repeating  the  instruction.  The  squad  will  now  be  exercised 
in  aiming  together,  keeping  them  in  the  position  long  enough 
to  confirm,  but  not  long  enough  to  fiitigue  them.  This  drill 
may  be  conducted  in  the  quarters.  In  this  case  the  instructor 
will  drill  but  one  man  at  a  time  ;  the  remainder  will  exercise 
themselves  in  taking  and  abandoning  the  position  as  he  pro- 
ceeds. Two  drills  will  be  given  to  the  above  exercise.  One 
will  suffice  for  soldiers  who  have  been  previously  instructed. 

During  the  drill,  the  soldier  will  not  be  required  to  aim  at 
any  fixed  point,  the  object  being,  that  he  may  acquire  with 
ease  the  position  of  a  soldier,  '*'  aiming  as  a  skirmisher,  stand- 
ing/' and  the  habit  of  readily  catching  with  his  eye  the  two 
points  which  determine  the  line  of  sight. 

AVhen  the  men  are  confirmed  in  the  position  described 
above,  they  will  be  exercised  at  aiming  at  a  mark.  First,  with 
the   sii2:ht   down  :    one   drill  will   be   ^iven   to   this   exercise. 


18  TARGET    PRACTICE. 


Previous  to  the  man's  aiming,  the  instructor  will  order  him  to 
direct  the  line  of  sight  below  the  point  to  be  aimed  at;  to 
raise  the  piece  slowly  until  the  line  of  sight  is  on  the  point 
designated,  preserving  his  aim  for  an  instant,  keeping  the 
body  and  gun  immovable.  During  the  first  part  of  this  drill 
the  men  will  be  instructed  individually. 

The  men  will  now  be  exercised  in  aiming,  using  the  hausse 
for  ranges  for  which  it  is  graduated,  and  the  intermediate 
ones 

AIMING   WITH     SIGHT    RAISED,    (WHEN    RIFLE    MUSKET   AND 
RIFLE   ARE    USED.) 

ONE   TIME   AND   FOUR   MOTIONS. 

First  and  Second. — Same  as  ^^  Aiming  with  sight  down.^' 

Third  Motion. — Raise  the  piece  slightly  with  both  hands, 
at  the  same  time  depressing  the  muzzle  until  the  piece  is 
horizontal,  the  left  arm  and  stock  against  the  body  :  with  the 
thumb  and  first  finger  of  the  right  hand,  regulate  the  hausse 
for  the  distance  indicated,  and  seize  the  piece  with  the  right 
hand  at  the  small  of  the  stock. 

Fourth  Motion. — Same  as  third  motion,  ^^ Aiming  with 
sight  down.^' 

Two  drills  will  be  given  to  this  exercise  :  during  the  first 
drill,  the  men  will  be  instructed  individually,  commencing  with 
the  lower  sights,  and  then  causing  the  hausse  to  be  raised 
gradually. 

The  position  of  a  soldier  aiming  as  a  skirmisher  cannot 
always  be  taken  exactly  in  the  same  manner,  as  it  will  be 
found  necessary  to  lower  the  shoulder  and  arms  in  proportion 
as  the  hausse  is  elevated :  without  moving  the  body,  or 
inclining  the  head,  the  soldier,  by  lowering  the  shoulder  and 
arms,  can  take  any  line  of  sight  from  250  to  1000  yards. 
This  will  be  found  a  good  exercise  for  the  men.  In  order  to 
aim  at  objects  800,  900,  and  1000  yards  distant,  it  is  neces- 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  19 


sary  to  press  the  heel  of  tlie  butt  of  the  piece  against  the 
shoulder.  If  men  have  short  necks,  the  position  is  con- 
strained, and  cannot  be  taken  properly.  Instructors  perceiving 
this  diflSculty  will  exercise  their  judgment  in  recjuiring  men 
to  take  the  position  above  designated  when  firing  at  these 
long  ranges. 

During  the  second  drill,  squads  formed  on  the  drill-ground 
will  be  exercised  in  aiming  together,  using  the  different  lines  of 
sight  for  which  the  bausse  is  regulated.  In  this  drill  the  bayonet 
will  bo  fixed  when  aiming  at  distances  less  than  400  yards. 

AETICLE  III. 

POSITION     OF     A    SOLDIER      KNEELING     AND     AIMING     AS     A 
SKIRMISHER. 

The  instruction  will  1^  given  without  times  or  motions. 
The  instructor  will  command, 

"  Take  the  position  of  a  skirmisher  kneeling  and  aiming,"  or, 
'^  Cease  aiming/' 

The  instructor  will  detail  the  position  of  a  skirmisher 
kneeling  and  aiming,  as  follows.  The  squad  is  supposed  to  be 
at  shouldered  arms,  the  files  one  pace  apart.  Take  the  posi- 
tion of  present-arms;  then  carry  the  right  foot  to  the  rear  and 
to  the  right  of  the  left  heel,  and  in  a  position  convenient  for 
placing  the  right  knee  upon  the  ground  in  bending  the  left 
leg;  place  the  right  knee  upon  the  ground,  lower  the  piece, 
the  left  forearm  supported  upon  the  thigh  on  the  same  side, 
the  right  hand  on  the  small  of  the  stock,  the  butt  resting  on 
the  right  thigh,  the  left  hand  supporting  the  piece  near  the 
lower  band.  Move  the  right  leg  to  the  left,  around  the  knee 
supported  on  the  ground,  until  this  leg  is  nearly  perpendicular 
to  the  direction  of  the  left  foot,  and  thus  seat  himself  on  the 
right  heel.  Raise  the  piece  with  the  right  hand  and  support 
it  with  the  left,  holding  it  near  the  lower  band,  the  left  elbow 
resting  on  the  left  thigh  near  the  knee.     With  the  thumb 


20  TARGET    PRACTICE. 

and  forefinger  of  the  right  hand  regulate  the  hausse,  if  neces- 
sary; cock  the  piecCj  seize  it  with  the  right  hand  at  the  small 
of  the  stock,  the  right  shoulder  raised  or  lowered  according 
to  the  position  of  the  target,  the  right  elbow  nearly  to  the 
height  of  the  shoulder;  aim  at  the  point  indicated,  keeping 
the  top  of  the  muzzle-sight  and  the  bottom  of  the  notch  of 
the  hausse  in  the  vertical  plane  of  fire,  the  thumb  of  the  right 
hand  over  the  small  of  the  stock,  the  last  joint  of  the  first 
finger  of  the  right  hand  in  front  of  but  not  touching  the 
trigger,  the  other  fingers  of  this  hand  grasping  the  small  of 
the  stock.  The  instructor,  having  taken,  and  detailed  at  the 
same  time,  the  position  of  a  skirmisher  kneeling  and  aiming, 
will  instruct  the  men  in  aiming  from  this  position,  in  con- 
formity with  what  has  been  prescribed  in  Article  II.  Two 
drills  will  be  given  to  this  exercise.  One  will  suffice  for 
soldiers  previously  instructed  in  the  drill. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

KEEPING     THE    PIECE    STEADY   WHEN    THE   TRIGGER   IS 
PULLED. 

It  is  easy  to  preserve  the  aim  until  the  trigger  is  pressed 
upon  in  order  to  discharge  the  piece;  but,  when  this  is  done, 
the  aim  is  maintained  with  difficulty.  When  pressing  on  the 
trigger,  the  line  of  sight  is  apt  to  be  deranged :  although  pro- 
perly directed  before  touching  the  trigger,  it  may  not  be  so 
at  the  moment  the  discharge  takes  place.  The  report  of  the 
discharge  of  his  piece  should  find  the  soldier  still  preserving 
his  aim.  The  soldier  will  attain  this  if  he  holds  his  breath 
from  the  moment  he  commences  to  touch  the  trigger  until  the 
gun  is  discharged;  if  he  does  not  pull  the  trigger  with  a 
jerk,  or  suddenly,  but  increases  the  pressure  on  the  trigger 
by  degrees;  if  he  places  his  finger  in  such  a  manner  upon  the 
trigger  as  to  exercise  its  full  force,  pressing  not  on  the 
extremity  of  the  finger,  but  on  the  last  joint,  or  as  near  this 


21 


'*:lzz  i.i  zz^ 


WUA 


He  will  ez 


:5  irliii  ::Iie  last  joiat  . 
:z  liie  amscles  of  ihzs 


:  ilxer  tr : 


.i  ibji    3*. 


wluek  W 


22  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


The  exercise  given  in  this  article  is  considered  of  great 
importance.  It  will  be  repeated  for  four  drills.  Two  will 
suffice  for  those  men  who  have  been  previously  instructed. 

ARTICLE  V. 

SIMULATED   TIRING   WITH   CAPS. 

This  article  is  the  same  as  the  preceding,  except  that  a  cap 
will  be  used,  and  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  explain  to  the 
soldier  the  manner  of  pulling  the  trigger.  Squads  assembled 
in  the  quarters  will  be  made  to  aim  at  a  lighted  candle,  which 
will  be  placed  three  feet  or  more  from  the  muzzle  of  the  gun. 
The  line  of  sight  will  be  brought  to  bear  below  the  flame; 
then,  gradually  raising  the  piece  until  the  line  of  sight  is  directly 
on  the  flame,  the  cap  will  be  exploded  :  if  the  cone  and  barrel 
of  the  piece  are  perfectly  clear,  and  the  piece  correctly 
sighted,  the  body  kept  steady  when  aiming  and  at  the  mo- 
ment the  cap  explodes,  the  candle  will  be  extinguished. 
Simulated  firing  with  caps  will  be  executed  in  two  drills. 
Ten  caps  per  man  will  be  exploded  at  each  drill;  eight  caps 
standing  and  two  kneeling. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

SIMULATED   FIRING   WITH   BLANK   CARTRIDGES. 

Firing  with  blank  cartridges  will  be  conducted  in  conformity 
with  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  articles.  The 
squad  will  be  formed  on  the  drill-ground  as  prescribed  in 
Article  II.  The  men  will  fire  in  succession  at  a  target,  placed 
or  supposed  to  be  placed  at  difi'erent  distances.  The  rules 
laid  down  in  the  foregoing  articles  relating  to  a  soldier  aiming 
will  be  strictly  followed.  This  lesson  will  be  executed  in  two 
drills;  ten  cartridges  will  be  fired  per  man  at  each  drill; 
eight  standing  and  two  kneeling. 

The  object  of  these  drills  is  to  accustom  the  men  to  pre- 
serve their  aim  when  firing. 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  23 


ARTICLE  VII. 

ESTIMATING  DISTANCES. 
(See  Plate  3.) 
The  company  assembled  fully  equipped  as  for  drill  will  be 
divided  into  at  least  three  squads,  or  as  many  as  there  are 
company  officers  present.  Each  officer  is  provided  with  a 
small  cord,  25  yards  long.  The  instructor  will  measure  on 
the  ground  a  right  line,  which  will  be  marked  off  into  distances, 

0,  50,  100,  150,  200,  yards;  0,  50,  100,  150,  200, 

i  i  I  I  i 
marking  these  distances,  as  measured,  with  a  stake,  stone, 
or  line,  on  the  ground.  He  will  now  direct  each  man  of  his 
squad  to  pace  off  the  measured  distance  of  100  yards,  caution- 
ing them  to  be  careful  and  preserve  their  natural  gait,  without 
attempting  to  increase  or  diminish  the  length  of  their  step. 
lie  will  direct  the  men  to  count  the  number  of  steps  they 
take  in  passing  over  the  distance  of  100  yards.  This  having 
been  repeated  at  least  three  times  by  each  soldier,  who  reports 
each  time  the  number  of  steps  taken  by  him  in  passing  over 
100  yards,  the  ratio  which  a  yard  bears  to  the  step  of  each 
soldier  becomes  known.  The  instructor  will  inform  each  sol- 
dier the  number  of  steps  it  will  be  necessary  for  him  to  take 
to  pass  over  10  yards.  The  soldier  now  knowing  the  number 
of  steps  he  must  take  to  pass  over  10  and  100  yards,  it  will 
be  easy  for  him  to  measure  any  distance  with  sufficient  accu- 
racy for  all  practical  purposes  when  firing. 

To  estimate  a  distance  greater  than  100  yards — in  steps — the 
soldier,  having  started  from  the  point  of  departure,  will  count 
the  number  of  steps  he  should  take  to  pass  over  100  yards;  ex- 
tending as  a  tally,  at  the  moment  of  arrival,  the  thumb  of  his 
right  hand,  the  other  fingers  closed :  he  will  recommence  then 
his  count,  extending  the  first  finger  of  the  right  hand  when 
he  has  counted    the  number  of    steps  necessary  to  make  a 


24  TARGET    PRACTICE. 


second  100  yards,  and  so  on,  until  he  arrives  at  a  point  less  than 
100  yards  from  the  point  up  to  which  he  is  to  measure.  When 
the  soldier  finds  himself  less  than  100  yards  from  the  object,  he 
will  count  by  tens,  saying,  ^^  Ten  yards/^  when  he  has  counted 
the  number  of  steps  necessary  for  him  to  pass  over  the  distance 
of  10  yards,  20,  30  yards,  and  so  on,  until  he  arrives  very  near 
the  object,  when  he  will  increase  the  length  of  his  step,  counting 
each  step  a  yard  ;  and,  by  adding  these  to  the  tens,  he  will  then 
only  have  to  count  as  hundreds  the  number  of  fingers  he  has 
raised,  to  know  the  whole  distance,  expressed  in  yards. 

The  instructor  will  form  his  squad  at  one  of  the  extremities 
of  the  200  yard  line,  which  has  been  measured  in  such  a  way 
that  the  right  line  measured  shall  be  perpendicular  to  the 
front  of  the  squad.  He  will  order  four  men  to  place  them- 
selves, the  first  at  the  point  marked  50  yards,  the  second  at 
the  point  marked  100  yards,  the  third  at  the  point  marked 
150  yards,  and  the  fourth  at  the  point  marked  200  yards. 
The  men  selected  should  be  as  near  the  same  height  as  prac- 
ticable. The  instructor  will  now  direct  the  attention  of  the 
squad  to  the  difi*erent  parts  of  the  dress,  arms,  equipment,  and 
figure  of  the  men  on  the  line,  such  as  can  be  easily  distin- 
guished and  recognised  at  50  yards,  and  such  as  cannot  be 
readily  recognised  at  this  distance.  He  questions  each  man 
of  his  squad  on  these  points,  not  expecting  all  to  answer  alike, 
since  the  eyesight  of  men  will  generally  difier. 

The  instructor  will  now  call  the  attention  of  the  men  to  the 
soldier  placed  at  the  point  100  yards  distant,  and  cause  them 
to  make  similar  observations  upon  this  man  as  those  already 
prescribed  for  the  soldier  at  50  yards.  The  instructor  again 
questions  the  men,  and  will  be  careful  to  point  out  to  them 
the  difi'erence  that  exists  between  those  two  distances,  as 
illustrated  by  the  difi'erence  in  the  appearance  of  the  same 
objects  at  these  distances.  The  instructor  will  make,  in  suc- 
cession, upon  the  two  men  placed  at  150  and  200  yards,  simi- 
lar observations  as  prescribed  for  the  men  at  50  and  100  yards; 


TARGET   PRACTICE.  25 


being  very  careful  to  call  the  attention  of  each  man  to  the 
difference  which  exists  between  the  four  distances,  illustrated 
by  the  distinctness  with  which  certain  objects  are  seen.  The 
instructor  will  direct  the  squad  to  notice  that  men  appear 
smaller  the  farther  they  are  off,  although  in  reality  they  are 
nearly  the  same  height.  The  men  stationed  at  the  different 
points  will  be  frequently  replaced  by  others.  When  the  men 
of  the  squad  have  made  a  sufficient  number  of  observations 
upon  the  four  distances  above  indicated,  and  when  these 
observations  are  well  impressed  on  their  memories,  the  in- 
structor will  cause  the  squad  to  estimate  intermediate  distances 
between  50  and  200  yards. 

In  order  to  do  this,  the  instructor  will  march  his  squad  to  a 
different  part  of  the  ground  from  that  on  which  he  measured 
the  distances  in  the  first  instance,  and  form  it  in  one  rank. 
lie  now  sends  out  one  man,  directing  him  to  halt  at  a  given 
signal.  The  instant  this  man  steps  off,  the  squad  is  faced 
about,  in  order  that  the  men  may  not  count  the  steps  taken. 
When  the  man  proceeds  a  sufficient  distance,  he  will  be  halted, 
facing  towards  the  squad.  The  squad  will  now  be  faced  to 
the  front.  The  men  will  estimate  the  distance  which  separates 
them  from  the  soldier.  The  instructor  cautions  the  squad  to 
recollect  the  observations  made  by  them  upon  the  men  placed 
at  the  measured  distances.  The  instructor,  placing  himself  a 
short  distance  from  the  squad,  calls  each  man  to  him  in  turn, 
directing  them  to  give  in  their  estimates  in  a  low  voice.  This 
is  necessary,  in  order  that  no  man  may  be  influenced  in  his 
judgment  by  the  opinion  of  another.  The  instructor  writes 
in  his  note-book,  opposite  each  man's  name,  the  distance 
as  estimated  by  him.  The  instructor  will  now  cause  the  dis- 
tance to  be  measured,  and,  at  the  same  time,  stepped  off  by 
the  men.  The  instructor,  having  received  from  each  man 
the  distance  as  measured  by  him,  will  insert  the  same,  by 
the  side  of  the  distance  as  estimated.  The  instructor  now 
points  out  to  the  men  the  errors,  if  any  were  committed,  in 

3 


26  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


estimating  the  distance.  In  order  to  do  this  more  distinctly, 
he  may  send  a  man  to  the  point  from  which  the  squad  started, 
pointing  out  all  errors  by  observations  on  this  man.  The 
instructor  will  repeat  this  exercise  as  often  as  in  his  judgment 
is  necessary,  taking  care  each  time  to  choose  a  different  dis- 
tance, but  always  between  the  limits  above  indicated. 

Estimating  distances  should  take  place  under  different 
conditions  of  the  atmosphere,  cloudy,  foggy,  &c. ;  and,  if  the 
locality  permits,  squads  should  be  drilled  on  ground  the  out- 
line of  which  is  diversified  by  hills,  ravines,  &c. 

When  the  instructor  judges  that  the  men  of  his  squad — who 
should,  if  possible,  be  the  same  during  these  exercises — have 
acquired  a  sufficient  accuracy  in  estimating  distances  comprised 
between  50  and  200  yards,  he  will  proceed  to  estimate  dis- 
tances comprised  between  200  and  400  yards.  To  accomplish 
this,  he  will  cause  to  be  measured  a  distance  of  400  yards, 
and  mark,  upon  the  right   line  so   measured,   distances  of 

0,  200,  250,  300,  350,  and  400  yards;  0,  200,  250,  300,  350,  400. 

i    i       J       1       I        I 

The  squads  will  be  formed  as  explained.  The  instructor  now 
orders  five  men  to  place  themselves,  the  1st  at  200,  the  2d  250, 
the  3d  300,  the  4th  350  and  the  5th  at  400  yards,  facing  the 
squad  and  resting  on  their  arms.  He  will  make  upon  these 
different  distances  observations  similar  to  those  already  made 
upon  the  lesser  distances  and  for  that  of  200  yards.  This  last 
distance  should  be  the  object  of  particular  attention  and  study. 
The  instructor  will  cause  distances  comprised  between  200  and 
400  yards  to  be  estimated  as  explained  for  the  lesser  dis- 
tances. 

When  the  men  have  acquired  sufficient  accuracy  in  esti- 
mating distances  comprised  between  200  and  400  yards,  they 
will  be  made  to  estimate  distances  comprised  between  50  and 
400  yards. 

This  having  been  accomplished,  distances  will  be  no  longer 
estimated  on  sinde  individuals,  but  on  groups  of  men. 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  27 


Each  company,  under  the  command  of  its  captain,  will  be 
divided  into  two  platoons;  commanded  by  the  first,  and  second 
lieutenants,  when  not  superintending  the  firing  of  a  class.  The 
captain  will  keep  himself  with  one  of  the  two  platoons,  having 
an  eye  to  the  exercise.  The  chief  of  each  platoon,  having 
halted  his  platoon  in  a  favorable  position  indicated  by  the 
captain,  will  bring  his  platoon  to  an  order,  and  rest.  A  group, 
composed  of  a  corporal,  a  drummer  or  bugler,  and  two  men, 
will  proceed  immediately  in  front  of  the  platoon,  following  a 
line  indicated  by  the  chief  of  platoon,  who  will  point  out  to 
the  corporal  two  points  on  this  line  upon  which  to  direct  him- 
self. The  corporal,  havinir  passed  over  a  distance  of  200  yards, 
but  not  exceeding  700,  will  be  at  liberty  to  halt  his  group. 
He  will  then  place  the  men  one  pace  apart,  in  one  rank,  and, 
facing  the  platoon,  bring  them  to  an  order,  and  rest,  and  take 
his  place  on  the  right  of  the  rank,  the  centre  of  which  should 
be  established  on  the  line.  The  chief  of  the  platoon  will 
DOW  estimate  the  distance  himself,  and  note  the  same  in  his 
note-book.  He  will  now  call  out  the  nun-commissioned  officers, 
receive  their  estimates,  (which  should  be  given  in  a  low  tone,) 
note  down  the  same ;  and  so  on  with  the  men.  As  soon  as  the 
officer  in  charge  of  the  platoon  commences  to  take  down  the 
estimates  of  the  men,  a  sergeant,  assisted  by  two  men  carry- 
ing a  cord  twenty-five  yards  long,  will  measure  the  distance 
which  separates  the  platoon  from  the  group,  and  note  down  the 
same. — Should  the  number  of  units  which  remain  after  having 
noted  the  hundreds  and  tens  be  less  or  equal  to  five,  they  will  be 
rejected ;  if  greater  than  five,  they  will  be  counted  as  ten. 
The  officer  having  taken  down  the  estimates,  and  the  distance 
separating  the  platoon  from  the  group  having  been  measured, 
the  officer  will  display  a  signal,  and  the  sergeant  who  mea- 
sured the  distance  will  indicate  the  number  of  yards,  by 
causing  the  drummer  to  sound  a  roll  for  each  hundred,  and  a 
single  tap  for  tens.  The  bugler  will  indicate  the  same  by  long 
and  short  notes. 


TARGET  PRACTICE. 


The  group,  at  the  discretion  of  the  officer  comiDanding 
the  platoon,  may  be  made  to  increase  or  lessen  the  distance 
which  separates  it  from  the  platoon,  the  corporal  keeping  the 
group  within  the  limits  prescribed,  and  on  the  line  as  indicated 
to  him.  When  he  halts  the  group,  he  will  be  careful  to  esta- 
blish it  on  the  line  facing  the  platoon. 

The  sergeant  charged  with  measuring  the  distance  will  re- 
tire a  few  paces  from  the  line  after  having  marked  the  point 
up  to  which  he  last  measured. 

He  will  observe  the  platoon,  and  as  soon  as  its  chief  com- 
mences recording  the  estimates  he  will  measure  the  distance 
which  separates  the  group  from  its  first  station,  taking  note  of 
this  distance,  and  adding  it  to  the  first  or  subtracting  it,  as 
the  case  may  be. 

In  estimating  distances  comprised  between  700  and  1000 
yards,  the  number  composing  a  group  will  be  increased  to 
eight  men,  a  corporal,  and  drummer  or  bugler.  The  groups 
will  be  formed  sometimes  in  one  and  sometimes  in  two  ranks. 

In  all  other  respects  the  rules  laid  down  for  estimating  dis- 
tances between  200  and  700  yards  will  be  followed. 

Instruction  in  estimating  distances  will  be  given  when  it 
does  not  interfere  with  other  parts  of  the  soldiers^  drill.  It 
will,  however,  always  precede  ball-practice,  and  be  carried  on 
during  this  practice.  When  one  squad  is  occupied  in  firing  at 
the  target,  the  remaining  squads  will  be  exercised  in  estimating 
distances. 

Officers,  particularly,  should  be  prompt  in  estimating  dis- 
tances correctly,  as  they  are  called  upon  to  conduct  and  regu- 
late the  fire  in  presence  of  an  enemy. 


TARGET   PRACTICE.  29 


^«0nd  ^ess0it* 


FIRING  WITH  BALL   CARTRIDGES  AT    DIFFERENT  DIS- 
TANCES, FORMATION  OF  CLASSES,  ETC. 

The  distances  at  which  the  targets  are  placed  will  be  150, 
225,  250,  300,  325,  350,  400,  450,  500,  550,  GOO,  700,  800, 
900,  and  1000  yards. 

These  distances  will  be  carefully  measured  and  staked  off 
on  the  ^^  firing-ground.^' 

The  surfaces  fired  at  will  be, 
at  150  and  225  yards  one  target  G  ft.  high  and  22  in.  broad. 


225  and  300 

one 

325, 

350,  and  400 

one 

450  a 

ind  500 

one 

550  and  GOO 

one 

700 

one 

800 

one 

900 

one 

1000 

one 

44 

GG 

88 

110 

132 

17G 

220 

2G4 

Four  rounds  will  be  fired  at  each  of  the  above  distances. 
The  company  will  be  divided  into  three  equal  classes,  non- 
commissioned officers  equally  distributed.     (See  Form  I.) 

After  the  company  has  fired  at  the  several  distances  150, 
225,  250,  300,  325,  350,  and  400  yards,  the  classes  will  be 
rearranged  according  to  merit  of  firing, — the  first  class  com- 
posed of  those  men  who  have  hit  the  target  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  times,  the  second  class  of  those  who  come  next  in 
order,  and  so  on  with  the  third,  keeping  the  classes  as  nearly 
equal  as  practicable.  Non-commissioned  officers  will  not*  be 
assigned  to  classes  according  to  merit,  but  according  to  rank, 
a  sergeant  in  each  class,  the  presence  of  non-commissioned 
officers  being  necessary  with  classes  when  estimating  distances, 
&c.     When  the  firing  has  been  executed  at  the  fifteen  dis- 

3* 


30  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


tanceS;  the  classes  will  be  again  reformed,  as  prescribed  above; 
previous  to  which  no  change  will  be  made. 

Men  who  from  unavoidable  causes  have  missed  drills  will 
be  placed  in  that  class  to  which  the  number  of  their  shots  that 
hit  the  target  entitles  them, — which  will  be  determined  by  a 
simple  calculation. 

A  list  of  the  company,  arranged  by  classes,  will  be  kept  ex- 
posed in  the  quarters  until  new  lists  are  formed.  The  object 
in  forming  classes  is  that  the  officers  may  know  the  good 
marksmen  in  their  companies,  and  to  stimulate  the  pride  of 
the  men. 

When  the  company  arrives  on  the  ground,  the  classes  will 
be  paraded.  The  first  class,  formed  in  one  rank,  will  take 
position  ten  steps  in  rear  of  the  point  from  which  the  firing 
takes  place,  the  centre  of  the  rank  on  and  perpendicular  to 
the  plane  of  fire. 

The  remaining  classes  will  be  divided  into  as  many  squads 
per  class  as  there  are  intelligent  non-commissioned  officers 
available,  and  these  squads,  superintended  by  an  officer,  will 
be  exercised,  on  suitable  ground  near  the  firing-ground,  in 
estimating  distances,  or  in  what  is  laid  down  in  Article  IV. 
When  estimating  distances  greater  than  400  yards,  the  two 
classes  may  be  united,  in  which  case  the  detachment  will  be 
commanded  by  an  officer.  The  officer  superintending  the 
firing  will  order  his  class  to  load  at  will,  and  then  bring  them 
to  a  ^^  support  arms,''  or  ^^  order  arms,''  and  rest. 

Before  a  man  fires,  a  roll  on  the  drum,  or  note  on  the  bugle, 
will  be  sounded.  At  this  signal  the  markers  will  take  their 
places.     At  the  command 

"  Commence  firing,"  the  man  on  the  right  will  take  the 
position  in  front  of  the  squad  that  has  been  pointed  out  to 
him,  and  fire,  retiring,  as  soon  as  he  has  fired,  three  paces  in 
rear  of  his  first  position ;  and  so  on  with  the  rest.  When  a 
class  has  fired,  it  will  reload  at  the  commands  ^^Load  at  will," 
^^Load,"  and  thus  continue  until  the  four  shots  have  been 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  31 


expended.  Three  shots  will  be  fired  standing,  the  fourth 
kneeling.  The  firing  of  the  other  classes  will  be  conducted 
in  the  same  manner.  Officers  should  retire  a  short  distance 
from  the  soldier  who  is  about  to  fire,  and  be  careful  not  to 
speak  to  him  when  in  the  act  of  firing.  Officers  will  pay  par- 
ticular attention  that  all  the  principles  are  followed  which  have 
been  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  articles. 

Balls  which  strike  within  the  black  lines  will  have  no 
greater  value  on  the  "record-book"  than  those  which  strike 
any  other  part  of  the  target. 

An  intelligent  non-commissioned  officer,  assisted  by  a  man, 
will  place  themselves  in  a  hole  dug  at  the  foot  and  in  front 
of  the  target,  protected  by  a  breast  work  of  earth  thrown  upon 
that  side  from  which  the  firing  takes  place.  This  non-com- 
missioned officer  will  mark  the  shots  which  strike  the  target. 
He  will  be  provided  with  a  small  flag,  and  a  rod  about  six  feet 
long,  on  one  end  of  which  will  be  nailed  a  circular  disk  of 
wood,  or  other  material,  six  or  eight  inches  in  diameter, 
painted  on  one  side  white,  on  the  other  black.  When  a  ball 
strikes  outside  the  black,  he  will  cover  the  shot-hole  with  the 
disk,  presenting  the  black  side  to  the  detachment;  when  inside 
the  black,  the  white  side  will  be  presented  to  view.  Firing 
will  only  be  permitted  when  the  flag  is  down.  The  marker 
should  be  provided  with  a  pot  of  paste,  a  brush,  and  patches 
of  paper,  when  the  target  covered  with  muslin  is  used.  After 
five  shots,  the  marker  will  paste  patches  over  the  ball-holes,  or 
otherwise  deface  them.  When  cast-iron  targets  are  used,  the 
marker  should  be  provided  with  black  and  white  paint. 

Should  it  not  be  possible  to  obtain  the  greatest  range  laid 
down,  the  entire  number  of  shots  will  nevertheless  be  fired. 
The  shots,  in  that  case,  will  be  divided  equally  between  the 
150  yard  range  and  the  greatest  available  range. 

The  officer  superintending  the  drill  will  note  opposite  each 
man's  name  his  hitSj  which,  after  the  drill  ends,  will  be  copied 
in  the  record-book    kept    for   that   purpose.     (See  Form  I.) 


32  TARGET    PRACTICE. 


When  the  first  class  has  nearly  completed  firing  its  four 
rounds,  the  drummer  will  be  directed  to  sound  a  roll,  or  the 
bugler  the  signal  ^^  Commence  firing/' 

The  second  class  will  then  be  marched  to  the  position  occu- 
pied by  the  first,  and  execute  what  has  been  laid  down  above 

During  the  remainder  of  the  drill,  the  first  class  will  be 
exercised  in  estimating  distances.  It  will  be  found  to 
economize  time,  and  the  record  of  shots  can  be  better  kept, 
by  keeping  the  same  non-commissioned  officer  superintending 
the  marking  of  shots  during  the  entire  drill. 


WMrd  lesson. 

FIRING  AS  SKIRMISHERS. 

The  company  will  now  be  exercised  in  firing  as  skirmishers. 
Three  drills  will  be  given  to  this  exercise.  Ten  cartridges 
will  be  fired  per  man  at  each  drill.  When  firing  as  skir- 
mishers, the  men  will  be  permitted  to  take  that  position  which 
suits  them  best.  The  line  of  skirmishers  will  fire  first  ad- 
vancing, then  retreating,  conforming  to  the  principles  laid 
down  in  the  ^^instruction  for  skirmishers. '^  The  targets  will 
be  six  feet  high  and  twenty-two  inches  wide,  placed  upon  a 
line  parallel  to  the  line  of  skirmishers  and  six  yards  apart. 

As  many  targets  will  be  used  as  the  nature  of  the  ground 
and  a  due  regard  to  economy  will  permit.  A  line  will  be 
staked  ofi*  parallel  to  the  line  of  targets  and  350  yards  dis- 
tant. The  line  of  skirmishers,  formed  a  suitable  distance  from 
this  line,  will  advance  upon  it,  and  when  on  the  line  the 
command  will  be  given,  "  Commence  firing :''  the  line  of  skir- 
mishers will  advance  and  fire  five  rounds ;  the  remaining  five 
will  be  fired  retreating. 

The  firing  during  the  second  drill  will  be  executed  as  laid 
down  for  the  first.     The  surface  fired  at  will  be  double ;  the 


targets  pbeed  s  z  j„:i-  p^r:.  T^e  ±iiz^  will  commence 
when  the  skimii^eis  arriTe  on  a  line  Oi)0  yards  fri—  .li 
targets.  The  number  :t'  :  7_ :*^  ~!11  not  be  lunited.  Five 
cartridges  will  be  fired  i  -  i  five  retreating. 

Firing  daring  the  iL:  .ence  when  :Le  skir- 

mishers reach  a  line  8C'"  vans  :.  !       :f  targets.    Four 

laigets  will  be  naed,  placed  12  ;  The  dimension 

of  each  target  will  be  6  feet  by  b'^  inches.  After  each  drill, 
the  distance  at  which  the  line  of  ski:     !  _  ed  fire, 

the  number  of  men  present  at  the  -  .her  of 

balls  that  strike  the  targets,  will  be  entered  in  the  '-rec-ord- 
book."  (See  Form  II. J  When  the  ranges  as  laid  down  cannot 
be  obtained,  they  will  be  approximated  to  as  nearly  as  possible, 
and  the  prescribed  number  of  shots  fired. 


:Jfourth   Wesson. 

FIKIXG  BY  COMPAXY  OR  RAXK,  AXD  BY  PLATOOX. 

The  exercises  in  firing  will  terminate  with  firing  by  file,  by 
company  or  rank,  according  to  the  tactics  used,  and  by  platoon. 
At  each  drill,  six  cartridges  per  man  will  be  fired  by  file,  two 
by  rank  or  company,  and  two  by  platoon.  The  distances  at 
which  the  several  firings  take  place  will  be  SOO,  400,  and  500 
yarils.  The  target  used  will  be  6  feet  high  and  176  inches 
broad.  The  vertical  and  horizontal  stripes  on  this  target  will 
be  12  inches  in  width. 

The  firings  by  file,  by  company  or  rank,  and  by  platoon, 
will  be  executed  in  three  drills :  at  the  first,  the  firing  will 
commence  at  3<X>  yards;  the  second,  at  -100;  and  the  third, 
at  500  yards.  At  each  drill,  the  firing  will  commence  by  file, 
then  by  company  or  rank,  and  will  end  by  firing  by  platoon. 
When  firing  at   ZOO  yards,  whether  by  file,  by  e>>mpaDy  or 


34  TARGET    PRACTICE. 


rank,  or  platoon,  bayonets  will  be  fixed.  After  eacb  drill,  the 
captain  will  enter  in  the  ^^  record-book^'  the  number  of  men 
present  at  the  drill,  the  number  of  balls  fired,  and  the  num- 
ber that  struck  the  target.  (See  Form  III.)  As  the  position  of 
soldiers  firing  by  file,  company  or  rank,  and  by  platoon,  is  dif- 
ferent from  that  taken  when  firing  as  a  skirmisher,  it  will  be 
necessary,  before  executing  the  above  firings,  to  habituate  the 
men  to  the  positions  which  they  should  take  by  simulated 
firings,  such  as  have  been  described  in  Articles  Y.  and  YI.  of 
First  Lesson. 

The  simulated  firing  will  first  be  by  allowing  the  hammer 
to  fall  upon  the  cone.  The  men  will  be  made  to  take  the  posi- 
tions as  laid  down  in  the  ^^  School  of  a  Soldier"  as  applicable 
to  those  difi'erent  firings.  They  will  be  accustomed  to  regu- 
late the  hausse  in  ranks,  putting  in  practice  as  much  as 
possible,  when  firing  in  ranks,  what  has  been  prescribed  for 
individual  firing. 

During  the  first  part  of  the  first  drill,  ten  caps  per  man  will 
be  exploded, — six  in  file  firing,  two  by  company  or  rank,  and 
two  by  platoon.  During  the  second  part  of  the  same  drill, 
ten  blank  cartridges  will  be  fired, — six  by  file,  two  by  com- 
pany or  rank,  and  two  by  platoon.  The  front  rank  will  be 
made  frequently  to  change  positions  with  the  rear  rank. 
Firing  with  ball  cartridges  will  then  take  place,  preceding 
each  real  fire  by  simulated  firings,  when  the  hammer  will  be 
allowed  to  fall  upon  the  cone.  The  proper  execution  of 
platoon  and  company  firing  depends  in  a  great  degree  upon 
the  commands  of  the  officer.  If  he  does  not  allow  a  sufficient 
interval  between  the  commands  ^^Aim''  and  ^^Fire,''  the 
men  will  not  have  time  to  aim.  To  obey  in  time  the  com- 
mand, the  trigger  will  be  pulled  suddenly.  The  result  will 
be,  that  much  of  the  efficacy  of  the  fire  will  be  lost,  and  a 
simultaneous  fire,  upon  which  a  great  deal  depends,  will  not 
be  obtained;  for  experience  and  reasoning  demonstrate  the 
fact,  every  thing  else  being  equal,  that  platoon-firing  is  more 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  35 


effective  iu  proportion  as  it  is  executed  together.  When  the 
officer  leaves  a  suitable  interval  between  the  commands  ^^  Aim^' 
and  ^^Fire/'  the  men  have  time  to  adjust  the  piece  to  the 
shoulder,  to  place  the  finger  in  front  of  the  trigger,  and  to  ex- 
ercise a  slight  pressure  on  the  trigger  when  awaiting  the  com- 
mand ^^Fire/'  They  are  then  ready  to  fire  the  moment  the 
command  is  given,  thus  obtaining  a  simultaneous  and  eff'ective 
fire.  But,  if  the  officer  superintending  the  firing  should  be 
careful  to  leave  a  sufficient  interval  between  the  commands 
^^Aim''  and  ^^Fire,''  he  should  no  less  avoid  the  opposite 
extreme.  If  he  keeps  the  men  aiming  too  long,  they  will 
become  fatigued,  will  lose  their  aim,  and  will  not  be  prepared 
to  obey  the  command  when  given.  It  is  only  by  commanding, 
and  seeing  platoon  and  company  firing  executed  with  ball  and 
cartridge,  and  judging  of  its  eff'ect  by  the  number  of  balls  put 
in  the  target,  that  officers  can  appreciate  the  influence  of  a 
command  properly  given,  and  ac(juire  the  habit  of  thus 
giving  their  commands. 

When  firing  by  file,  by  company  or  rank,  or  by  platoon,  the 
officers  will  indicate  the  distance  which  separates  the  company 
from  the  object  to  be  fired  at.  Men  in  ranks  are  necessarily 
more  or  less  constrained  in  their  movements.  Occupied,  more- 
over, in  loading  their  pieces,  soldiers  will  not  be  able  to  judge 
the  distance  which  separates  them  from  the  enemy. 

The  most  suitable  moment  to  indicate  the  distance  will  be 
immediately  before  the  command  ^^Aim''  is  given.  The  men 
will  then  be  in  a  position  to  regulate  the  hausse.  To  direct 
the  fire  of  a  platoon  upon  an  enemy,  for  example,  at  400  yards, 
the  officer  will  command,  '^  Fire  by  platoon,''  ^^  Platoon — 
Ready— at  400  yards— Aim— Fire— Load.'' 

The  above  observations  are  applicable  to  firing  by  company 
or  rank. 

When  firing  by  file,  the  distance  will  be  announced  imme- 
diately before  the  command  ^^  Commence  firing,"  and  after 
the  command  ^^  Ready." 


36  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


Inaccuracy  of  fire  may  arise  from  very  different  causes. 

1st.  From  ignorance  of,  or  failing  to  apply,  the  principles 
wliicli  govern  good  marksmen  when  firing. 

2d.  A  ball,  when  fired,  may  be,  and  generally  is,  deflected 
from  its  course  when  describing  the  trajectory. 

The  first  causes  may  be  obviated  in  a  great  degree  by 
practical  and  theoretical  instruction. 

The  second  is  attributable  to  the  piece,  and  exterior  in- 
fluences acting  upon  the  ball.  Some  of  the  causes  cannot  be 
modified  by  the  most  skilful  marksman;  while  others,  to  a 
great  extent,  may  be  counteracted.  It  would  be  unreasonable 
to  expect  comparative  perfection  in  every  gun  issued  from  our 
large  manufactories.  Our  rifle  musket  is  believed  to  be  as 
perfect  an  arm  of  its  kind  as  has  ever  been  made.  A  perfect 
arm  can  only  exist  in  theory.  A  soldier  always  firing  the 
same  piece  will  become  acquainted  with  its  defects,  and  will 
be  able  to  make  such  allowances  when  firing  as  experience 
teaches  him  to  be  necessary. 

Among  the  exterior  influences  which  affect  the  accuracy 
of  a  gun,  the  principal  one  is  the  wind.  If  the  wind  blows 
from  the  right,  the  ball  will  be  deflected  to  the  left )  to  the 
right,  if  it  blows  from  the  left;  raised,  if  from  the  rear; 
and  lowered,  if  from  the  front;  raised  and  to  the  left,  if 
it  blows  from  the  rear  and  right.  The  deviation  produced  by 
the  wind  will  be  increased  in  proportion  as  the  distance  in- 
creases ;  it  increases  even  more  rapidly  than  the  distance. 
Experience  alone  can  teach  the  soldier  the  allowance  he  must 
make  for  the  wind.  Not  only  does  the  wind  affect  accuracy 
of  fire  by  deflecting  the  ball  from  its  course,  but  it  prevents  a 
person  from  holding  his  piece  steady. 

The  temperature  and  dampness  of  the  atmosphere  influence 
the  ball  in  its  flight.  It  has  been  remarked  that  in  dry 
weather  longer  ranges  have  been  obtained  than  in  damp 
weather. 

When  firing  at  an  object  in  motion,  allowance  must  be 


TARGET   PRACTICE.  37 


made  for  tlie  motion.  For  instance,  when  firing  at  a  horse- 
man galloping  in  a  direction  perpendicular  to  the  plane  of 
fire,  it  is  necessary  that  the  line  of  sight  should  move  in  pro- 
portion as  the  horseman  moves,  and  should  be  directed  in 
advance  of  him  in  proportion  as  he  is  farther  off. 

In  opening  a  fire  upon  an  enemy,  particular  attention  should 
be  paid  to  discover  where  the  first  balls  fired  strike.  It  would 
be  better  that  the  balls  fall  short  of,  rather  than  pass  over,  the 
enemy.  In  the  first  case,  we  stand  a  chance  of  a  ricochet  ball 
taking  effect.  From  which  we  naturally  deduce  that  a  soldier 
should  be  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  firing  too  low  rather 
than  too  hif>;h. 


The  difficulty  of  procuring  any  specified  material  for 
targets  at  many  posts  precludes  the  adoption  of  any  particular 
target. 

The  surface  fired  at,  at  the  different  distances,  will  alone  be 
fixed  by  regulation. 

The  following  suggestions  are  offered. 

The  best  targets,  and  those  recommended  for  permanent 
posts,  are  of  cast  iron, — by  far  the  cheapest  and  most  durable. 
The  different  surfaces  required  could  be  obtained  by  having 
four  cast-iron  targets  of  the  following  dimensions, — one  target 
G  feet  by  22  inches ;  one  6  feet  by  44  inches ;  one  6  feet  by 
6G  inches;  and  one  6  feet  by  132  inches. 

When  cast-iron  targets  cannot  be  had,  the  next  best  are 
targets  formed  of  wrought-iron  frames  (see  Plate  4)  with 
muslin  stretched  upon  them.  Four  frames  of  the  following 
dimensions,  by  combination,  would  enable  us  to  obtain  the  sur- 
faces required, — one  6  feet  by  22  inches ;  one  6  feet  by  44 
inches;  one  G  feet  by  88  inches;  one  G  feet  by  110  inches; 
and  all  the  parts  could  be  carried  in  a  wagon-body. 


38  TARGET    PRACTICE. 


Bj  carefully  covering  tlie  ball-holes  with  patches  of  paper 
pasted  on,  we  strengthen  and  thicken  the  target;  and  one  of 
these  targets  will  last  longer  than  one  would  suppose. 

The  next  best  targets  are  wooden  frames  composed  of  four 
pieces,  6  inches  wide  and  1  inch  thick,  bolted  together;  the 
ends  of  the  vertical  sides  projecting  about  a  foot  below,  and 
sharpened,  the  frame  covered  with  muslin  and  held  in  posi- 
tion by  four  guys  fastened  to  the  top  and  attached  to  pins  in 
the  ground  in  front  and  rear.     (See  Plate  5.) 

Every  target,  except  the  one  used  in  determining  the  regi- 
mental prizeman,  will  be  marked  by  a  vertical  and  a  horizontal 
stripe,  dividing  it  into  four  equal  parts,  and  varying  in  width 
according  to  the  distance,  as  follows : 

At  150  and    225  yards     4  inches  wide. 

"    250  ''      300     "        5       ''        " 

''    325  ''      350     ''        8       ''        " 

"   400  450  ''       500     "      12       "        '' 
"    550  600  ''      700     "      16       ''        '' 
''    800  900  ''     1000     ''      20       "        " 
Targets  will  be  furnished  by  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment. 


frkes. 


Prizes  will  be  of  three  kinds, — an  army  prize,  regimental 
prizes,  and  company  prizes. 

The  company  prize  will  be  awarded  by  the  captain,  after 
the  annual  target-practice  has  terminated,  to  that  non-com- 
missioned officer,  musician,  or  private,  who  has  hit  the  target 
the  greatest  number  of  times  at  the  various  distances  pre- 
scribed. 

The  company  prize  will  be  a  brass  stadia,  worn  on  the  right 
or  left  breast,  according  to  the  arm  used,  musket  or  rifle;  the 
ball  passed  through  the  button-hole,  and  the  hook  fastened  to 


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TARGET    PRACTICE. 


a  loop  worked  four  inches  from  the  row  of  buttons.  (See 
Plate  6.) 

Should  several  men  of  the  company  have  the  same  number 
of  hits,  they  will,  under  the  supervision  of  the  captain,  fire  at 
a  target  200  yards  distant  until  the  question  is  decided. 
Should  a  man,  from  unavoidable  causes,  fail  to  fire  from  one 
or  more  of  the  prescribed  distances,  and  if  by  firing  from 
these  distances  he  might  prove  the  successful  competitor,  he 
will  be  permitted  to  fire  under  the  supervision  of  the  cap- 
tain. 

The  regivnental  prize  will  be  a  silver  stadia,  with  a  silver 
chain  attached.  It  will  be  awarded  by  the  colonel  of  the 
regiment  to  that  company  prizeman  who  has  made  the  shortest 
Btring;  and  his  name  and  company  will  b^  announced  in 
regimental  orders.  To  enable  colonels  to  determine  the  regi- 
mental prizemen,  commanding  oflScers  of  posts  will  be  governed 
by  the  following  regulations.  The  company  prizemen,  at  each 
post,  to  fire  according  to  the  details  given  below,  under  the 
direction  of  the  commanding  officer,  who  will  f<»rward  a  record 
of  the  firing  of  the  best  shot  of  the  several  (?ompauies  of  the 
same  regiment  to  regimental  headquarters. 

1st.  The  order  in  which  the  men  fire  will  be  determined 
by  lot. 

2d.  The  target  will  be  a  circular  board  or  boards  three  feet 
in  diameter.  The  middle  of  the  target  will  be  marked  by 
the  centre  of  a  black  circle  eight  inches  in  diameter.  The 
rest  of  the  target  will  be  painted  white. 

3d.  Each  man  fires  ten  balls.  The  distance  fired  from  will 
be  200  yards. 

4th.  After  each  shot,  the  distance  from  the  centre  of  the 
ball-hole  to  the  centre  of  the  target  will  be  measured  and 
recorded.  The  ball-hole  is  then  covered  by  pasting  over  it  a 
small  piece  of  paper. 

5th.  Balls  which  strike  by  ricochet  will  be  counted  as 
having  missed  the  tarsret. 


40  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


6th.  Each  miss  counts  20  inches  on  a  man's  string.  In  all 
cases  the  man  whose  string  is  shortest  is  selected. 

7th.  If  several  competitors  obtain  equal  strings,  they  will 
fire  as  many  shots  as  may  be  necessary  to  decide  the  question 
between  them. 

8th.  The  position  fired  from  will  be  that  of  a  soldier 
'^  firing  as  a  skirmisher  standing.^' 

9th.  Each  man  shall  load  and  fire  his  own  gun.  The  full 
charge  of  powder  in  a  cartridge  will  be  used.  No  allowance 
will  be  made  for  guns  hanging  fire. 

The  firing,  if  possible,  should  be  finished  in  one  practice  or 
trial.  However,  should  the  weather  change  during  the  trial, 
and  be  such  that  it  operates  to  the  disadvantage  of  those  whose 
turn  it  is  to  fire  last,  the  commanding  officer  will  suspend  the 
trial,  to  be  resumed  when  the  weather  permits. 

The  circular  target  should  be  raised  at  least  three  feet  from 
the  ground. 

The  regimental  prize  will  be  given  to  the  successful  com- 
petitor by  the  inspector-general,  should  he  be  present;  in 
his  absence,  by  the  senior  officer  present  on  parade. 

If  two  men  of  a  regiment  have  the  same  string,  the  colonel 
will  inform  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post  or  posts  at 
which  these  men  are  stationed,  who  will  direct  an  additional 
ten  shots  to  be  fired,  and  forward  the  record  of  firing  as 
before. 

Prizes  will  be  worn  on  all  full-dress  occasions,  on  orderly 
duty,  and  when  attending  the  pay-table. 

Regimental  and  company  prizes  shall  be  held  by  the  success- 
ful competitor  until  the  next  annual  distribution  takes  place. 
A  man  having  worn  a  prize  for  one  year  may  obtain  the 
prize  a  second,  or  any  number  of  years,  provided  he  is  the 
successful  competitor. 

As  prizes  are  honorable  badges,  a  soldier  may  be  deprived 
of  them  by  the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial. 

Prizes    will    be   furnished    by  the  Ordnance   Department. 


Plate  Yin 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  41 


Requisitions  will  be  made  for  them  by  regimental  commanders 
and  company  officers.  They  will  be  borne  on  the  Ordnance- 
Return  as  other  property.  Soldiers  will  be  charged  with  their 
loss,  or  injury,  as  with  other  public  property. 

The  army  prize  will  be  a  silver  medal  22"  inches  in  diameter, 
suspended  by  a  silver  chain. 

The  chain  will  be  worn  around  the  neck,  the  medal  resting 
on  the  breast. 

The  army-prize  will  be  worn  on  all  full-dress  occasions,  on 
orderly  duty,  and  when  attending  the  pay-table. 

The  army  prize,  when  awarded,  belongs  to  the  soldier,  who 
may,  however,  be  deprived  of  wearing  it,  by  the  sentence  of  a 
general  court-martial. 

On  one  side  of  the  medal  will  be  engraved  the  grade,  name, 
company,  and  regiment  of  the  soldier ;  on  the  other  side  will 
be  engraved.  Army  Target  Prize  for  IS — .     (See  Plate  8.) 

The  army  prizeman  will  wear  both  his  army  and  regimental 
prizes. 

The  name,  company,  and  regiment  of  this  man  to  be  pub- 
lished in  orders  from  the  headquarters  of  the  army,  and  a 
copy  forwarded,  with  the  army  prize,  to  his  commanding 
officer,  to  be  given  to  him  by  the  inspector-general,  if  present; 
otherwise,  by  his  commanding  officer  on  parade.  This  man  is 
to  be  determined  as  follows : 

Regimental  commanders  will  forward  to  the  headquarters 
of  the  army  the  name,  company,  and  record  of  the  firing  of 
the  regimental  prizeman.  Should  two  regimental  prizemen 
have  equal  strings,  the  same  course  will  be  pursued  as  deter- 
mining the  regimental  prizeman  under  similar  circumstances, 
except  that  the  new  record  of  firing  will  be  forwarded  direct 
to  the  headquarters  of  the  army  by  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  post. 

N.  B. — The  regimental  prizem.in  will  wear  the  regimental  prize,  and 
turn  in  to  his  captain  the  company  prize. 

4^^ 


42  TARGET   PRACTICE. 


stadia. 

(See  Plate  7.) 

The  stadia  is  an  instrument  used  for  estimating  distances. 
It  is  a  piece  of  copper,  or  other  material,  witli  an  isosceles 
triangle  cut  out  of  it.  The  upper  and  lower  sides  are  gradu- 
ated, and  a  slide  works  from  left  to  right.  The  base  of  the 
opening  is  perpendicular  to  the  sides  of  the  instrument,  and 
represents  the  apparent  height  of  a  man  at  a  given  distance, 
when  the  instrument  is  held  horizontally  at  a  certain  distance 
from  the  eye. 

In  the  opening  ABC,  A  B,  the  base,  when  held  vertically 
and  at  a  distance — say  26  inches — from  the  eye,  represents 
the  apparent  height  of  a  foot-soldier  with  his  cap  on,  at  say 
150  yards. 

In  order  that  the  instrument  shall  always  be  used  at  the 
same  distance  from  the  eye,  a  string  or  chain  is  attached  to 
the  slide.  The  graduation  of  the  sides  of  the  instrument  is 
made  by  observation  or  by  calculation^  assuming  the  average 
height  of  an  infantry-soldier  to  be  a  certain  number  of  inches. 

To  use  the  instrument,  hold  the  knot  at  the  end  of  the 
string,  or  the  ball  of  the  chain,  between  the  teeth,  stretch  the 
string  or  chain  by  extending  the  arm,  keeping  the  base  A  B 
of  the  opening  vertical :  pass  the  instrument  from  right  to 
left  across  the  field  of  sight,  until  the  top  of  the  cap  and  feet 
of  the  man  appear  to  graze  the  sides  C  A  and  C  B  respectively. 
Move  the  slide  to  the  point  of  apparent  coincidence,  and  take 
the  reading  above,  or  below,  as  the  case  may  be.  This  will 
give  the  distance. 

The  upper  side  of  the  instrument  is  graduated  to  determine 
the  distance  of  foot-soldiers  ;  the  other,  the  distance  of  cavalry. 
In  the  latter  case,  we  must  regard  the  top  of  the  trooper's  cap 
and  his  horse's  feet. 


TARGET    PRACTICE.  43 


Each  company  -will  be  furnished  with  a  blankbook,  two 
quires  folio  cap,  in  which  the  record  of  firing  will  be  kept 
according  to  Forms  I.,  II.,  and  III.  These  books  will  be  left 
at  the  post-adjutant's  office  for  the  inspection  of  the  command- 
ing officers  after  each  firing,  or  at  the  end  of  the  week,  as  that 
officer  may  direct. 

Record -books  will  be  furnished  by  the  Quartermaster's  De- 
partment, on  requisitions  made  by  commanders  of  companies. 


S^he   j[irin()  of  6iiard.^i. 

Immediately  after  the  guard  marches  off,  it  will  fire  at  a 
target  under  the  supervision  of  the  officer  of  the  guard,  or,  in 
his  absence,  the  officer  of  the  day,  conforming  to  the  prin- 
ciples laid  down  in  this  system. 

For  three  months  in  the  year,  commencing  on  the  1st  of 
January,  guards  will  fire  at  the  distances  150  and  225  yards. 

For  three  months  at  ''  "         250    ''     300     '' 

u        a  a  u  u  a  305     a      350      ^^ 

u        a  (c  a  u  u  40O     ^^      450      '' 

When  the  ranges  laid  down  above  cannot  be  obtained,  they 
will  be  approximated  to  as  nearly  as  possible. 

The  size  of  the  targets  fired  at  from  the  several  distances 
given  above  will  be  the  same  as  prescribed  for  the  same  dis- 
tances in  Lesson  II. 

When  practicable,  the  best  shot  will  be  credited  with  a 
tour  of  police  or  fatigue  duty. 

In  this  firing,  the  string  will  be  measured  from  the  centre  of 
the  ball-hole  to  the  centre  of  the  intersection  of  the  horizontal 
and  vertical  stripes.  Equal  strings  will  be  decided  by  the 
men  firino;  a  second  shot. 


FORM  I. 

Record  of  the  Firing  of  Compaiii/  ^^  A/'  1st  Regiment  of  Infantry^  1858. 

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48 


TARGET   PRACTICE. 


FORM  II. 

Firing  as  Skirmishers. 


1st  Drill,  July  1,1858. 

2d  Drill,  July  3,  1858. 

3d  Drill,  July  6,  1858. 

Distance  from  which 

Distance  from  which 

Distance  from  which 

line    of    skirmishers 

line   of    skirmishers 

line   of    skirmishers 

commenced  firing: 

commenced  firing  ; 

commenced  firing : 

350  yards. 

600  yards. 

800  yards. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Ratio 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Ratio 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Ratio 

of 

of 

of 

per 

of 

of 

of 

per 

of 

of 

of 

per 

men. 

Balls 

Balls 

100. 

men. 

Balls 

Balls 

100. 

men. 

Balls 

Balls 

100. 

fired. 

hit. 

fired. 

hit. 

fired. 

hit. 

84    840  1  210 

25 

84 

840 

168 

20 

84  |840|105|12.5 

FOEM  III. 

Firing  hy  File,  hy  Company  or  Rank,  and  hy  Platoon. 


Species  of  Firing. 

Date. 

Distance. 

No. 
of 
men. 

No. 

of 
Balls 
fired. 

No. 

of 

Balls 

hit. 

Eatlo 
per 
100. 

By  File 

July  15 

300  yds. 

a 
cc 

84 

CC 
CC 

504 

168 

168 

840 

290 

90 
100 

480 

57.54 

53.57 
59.52 

57.14 

By  Rank  or  Com- 
■nanv 

v^^j 

Bv  Platoon 

Total 

By  File 

July  17 

400  yds. 

cc 
cc 

81 

cc 
cc 

486 

162 
162 

810 

215 

61 

54 

330 

44.24 

37.65 
33.33 

40.74 

By  Rank  or  Com- 
■nanv 

y^^^j  

Bv  Platoon 

Total 

By  File 

July  18 

(C 

500  yds. 

cc 
cc 

79 

(I 

a 

474 

158 
158 

790 

161 

47 
36 

244 

33.97 

29.75 

22.78 
30.89 

By  Rank  or  Corn- 
Dan  v 

B V  Platoon 

Total.: ;... 

J 


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